Kornfield - Living dharma: teachings and meditation instructions from twelve Theravada masters

Essential principles of Buddhism are outlined and placed in a modern context. A useful, practical guide to the art of meditation.

Library Journal

Jack Kornfield has performed an admirable service by introducing to the Western world a host of accomplished Buddhist teachers from Burma, Thailand, and Southeast Asia. He writes from a wealth of personal experience, describing the various nuances of personal style and particular teachings of a wide range of Buddhist teachers. It is an enjoyable and inspiring spiritual odyssey and is highly recommended for both the beginner and for the seasoned meditator.

Yoga Journal

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this book, Jack Kornfield presents the heart of Buddhist practice as taught by twelve highly respected masters from Southeast Asia. These renowned teachers offer a rich variety of meditation techniques: the practices include traditional instructions for dissolving the solid sense of self, for awakening insight, for realizing Nirvana, and for cultivating compassion for all beings.

Jack Kornfields first three chapters give an overview of Buddhist philosophy and, specifically, the meditation practices of Burma, Thailand, and Laos. The teachings in this volume are from Achaan Chaa, Mahasi Sayadaw, Sunlun Sayadaw, Achaan Buddhadasa, Achaan Naeb, Achaan Maha Boowa, Tuangpulu Sayadaw, Mohnyin Sayadaw, Mogok Sayadaw, U Ba Khin, Achaan Dhammadaro, and Achaan Jumnien.

JACK KORNFIELD trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma. He is a founding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, and has taught meditation internationally since 1974. His books include After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace; Meditation for Beginners; and The Wise Heart.

Sign up to learn more about our books and receive special offers from Shambhala Publications.

Or visit us online to sign up at shambhala.com/eshambhala.

LIVING DHARMA

Teachings and Meditation Instructions from Twelve Theravada Masters

JACK KORNFIELD

SHAMBHALA

Boston & London

2011

Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Horticultural Hall

300 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02115

www.shambhala.com

Cover art Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, NY

Cover design by Deborah Hodgdon

1977, 1996 by Jack Kornfield

Front cover art: Seated Buddha, late 15th16th century (Front view). Thailand, Lan Na style. Bronze, H. 19 in. (49.5 cm); W. 12 in. (31.7 cm); D. 7 in. (19.1 cm). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Richard Benedek, 1981 (1981.463). Photograph by Bruce White. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, U.S.A.

Image copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Art Resource, NY

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Living dharma: teachings and meditation instructions from twelve Theravada masters / Jack Kornfield.2010 ed.

p. cm.

First ed. published as: Living Buddhist masters. Santa Cruz, CA: Unity Press, 1977.

eISBN 978-0-8348-2253-5

ISBN 978-1-59030-832-5 (pbk.: alk. paper)

1. Vipayan (Buddhism) I. Kornfield, Jack, 1945 II. Living Buddhist masters.

BQ5630.V5L58 2010

294.3443dc22

2010023241

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my fatherfrom whom I learned the power of virtue and good intentions.

Also, this work could not have come about without the compassion and assistance of Stephen Levine, Sumedho Bhikku, Achaan Chaa, Joseph Goldstein, Achaan Asabha, Dan Goleman, Jim Harris, Achaan Jumnien, Eric, Sharon, Ram Dass, Dell, Seth, Chani, Achaan Tawee, Kenny, Kitti Subho, Irv, Tori, Molly, Trungpa Rinpoche, Joyce, Khun Prasom, U Thondera Sayadaw, Josie Stanton, Mahasi Sayadaw, Wicki, Larry and Dayle, Nyanasugato, Winston and Joslyn King, Kalu Rinpoche, Buzz and Janet, Maharaji, Vimalo Bhikku, Mimi, Susan, T. Lobsang Rampa, Soeng Sahn Roshi, Charlie, Richard, Guru Michael, Robert, Jacquie, Achaan Dhammadaro, Dr. Palos, Abbot Yen Boon, Achaan Buddhadasa, Chao Khun Raj, Lao Tzu, Professor Penner, Suzuki Roshi, Pannavado Bhikku, Achaan Maha Boowa, Krishna, David and Mary, Wing Tsit Chan, and all other Dharma friends.

And especially the compassion of Gotama Buddha for us all.

During its 2,500-year history, Buddhism has manifested itself in a multitude of different schools and styles. Always the dynamic nature of living Dharma has brought about, in different cultural and historical environments, new modes of expression. But at the heart of all of these manifestations lies the practice of meditation, as exemplified and taught by the Buddha himself. Only through personal meditative practice is the student of Dharma enabled to slow down the speed of neurotic mind and to begin seeing the world with clarity and precision. Without this, he will only be able to increase his confusion and perpetuate his aggressive grasping for self-confirmation. Without meditation, there is no approach to genuine sanity, no path to enlightenment, indeed no Dharma.

The practice of meditation presents itself as an especially powerful discipline for the shrinking world of the twentieth century. The age of technology would like also to produce a spiritual gadgetrya new, improved spirituality guaranteed to bring quick results. Charlatans manufacture their versions of the Dharma, advertising miraculous, easy ways, rather than the steady and demanding personal journey which has always been essential to genuine spiritual practice.

It is this genuine tradition which is embodied by the teachers presented in this book. They are holders of an unbroken lineage of transmission which has succeeded in surviving and communicating itself in its pure form. The teaching of these masters and the example of their lives provide the impetus and inspiration for further practitioners to follow, properly and fully, the path of Dharma.

Vajracharya the Ven. Chgyam Trungpa

Jack Kornfield, a kalyana mita (the name given to teachers in the Theravada tradition which is translated spiritual friend) has offered us in this volume a compilation of the philosophy and practices of Theravadin Buddhism interspersed with rich anecdotes and interviewsthe situations through which he received his training.

Jack spent much time traveling and studying in monasteries throughout Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia and conveys in his writing the profound simplicity and sustained effort that surround the practices of Theravada Buddhist meditation. Through his anecdotes he shows the way in which a practice is linked to a lineage. The interviews with these ascetic monastic bhikkus convey a sense of the intense serenity and assurance that permeates the teaching vessels of an ancient tradition. Each teacher emphasizes a specific aspect of the transmission of the Buddha, yet each is representative of the essence of the lineage.

There are many ways to read a book such as this. Intellectuals can speed-read their way through, satisfying curiosity. Or you may read this book with an empty mind, allowing its purifying waters to penetrate heart and mind and soul. In the course of allowing these words to pour through you, perhaps a practice here, a turn of phrase there, a jungle scene or a bit of clearly enunciated wisdom will attract you, will attach itself to you, will be something to which you will cling. Calm insight will show you why that particular thought came into your focus. And when you have absorbed what you need, then that bit of stuff will be dislodged to float on down the stream of your passing thoughts, leaving you, more than ever, here now.